The physical action of climbing stairs has a specific effect on the muscles in your hip area, and a stair stepper machine is designed to give you just that type of exercise. Muscles are worked during hip adduction and hip abduction, the actions of moving your thighs while keeping your hips straight. If your goal is to alter the shape of your hips, a stair stepper exercise machine will help you to engage your body in all the right ways.

Welcome to the Stair Stepper

A stair stepper, or stair climber, is a machine that reproduces a revolving conveyor of steps for you to climb. The machine can be controlled by the user which means you can tailor your workout to match your fitness level. To use one, step onto the stairs and grip the hand rails at your sides. Select your program on the control panel in front of you, or simply select “quick start.” Once the program is selected, start climbing the stairs, keeping pace with the machine.

Getting Technical

A stair stepper helps you to develop the muscles of your hips and thighs, building and shaping your hip area over time. The hip muscles targeted include the gluteus maximus muscle, which is the main muscle of your butt, and the gluteus medius and minimus muscles, which are located on your outer hip. One other important muscle worked is the tensor fasciae latae, which is located at the front of your hip.

Duration and Watching Your Form

To get the best out of a stair stepper, go for a workout session of between 10 and 20 minutes, two or three times per week. As a guide, you should be building a sweat and reaching a point where your breathing makes it hard to hold a long, uninterrupted conversation. Make sure to focus on your form when using the stepper machine, which means keeping your back straight, head and spine aligned, with stomach muscles held in to provide core support and balance.

Getting the Right Idea About Size

If you're looking to lose weight from your hips, you'll only achieve that by monitoring your daily calorie intake. Further, you'll have to remove sugary snacks or foods high in fat to shift any extra pounds. It's also worth mentioning that if you're worried about the stair stepper exercise making your hips bigger than you want them to be, the exercise is more about strengthening, shaping and toning, rather than adding layer upon layer of bulky muscle.

Advice and Warnings

Always consult your doctor before embarking on any moderately-intense forms of exercise. Perform an appropriate warm-up before you start, such as a few jumping jacks or some light stretches. Make sure to cool down with a few gentle stretches after to prevent stiffness and reduce stress on your heart. Seek out a qualified instructor to show you how to use a stepper correctly.

About the Author

Steven Lowis is a teacher of metaphysics, as well as a writer covering a wide range of topics. He specializes in the areas of quantum theory, physics, biology, health and fitness, psychology, theology and philosophy. He has released a book titled "The Meaning of Life - Understanding Purpose and the Nature of Reality."